PANDEMIC SURVEY

Coronavirus Scotland: SNP ministers pinning hopes on forecasting how Covid crisis will develop with weekly survey

SNP ministers are pinning their hopes on forecasting how the Covid-19 crisis will develop with a weekly survey of Scots.

The Scottish Government revealed plans to launch an online research panel as a “new way of measuring the epidemic”.

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The study, expected to be launched this week, will be based on a survey of people’s behaviour.

Modelling so far has been on case and death data, but previous estimates have hugely underplayed virus prevalence.

Two groups of 1,500 will be surveyed in alternate weeks to collect data for individuals and households.

The study will focus on their contact with others, with the data used to calculate an alternative “R number” measuring the bug transmission rate.

The government hopes it will flag up any resurgence of the virus early.

Tory health spokesman Donald Cameron said: “Testing remains the best way to see if we are controlling the virus, but analysing behaviours also has the potential to complement this data.”

It comes as we revealed parents have been left furious as Scots kids have been told to wear coats in class this winter due to Covid.